single axle rolling stock

[mf5117]

Was there ever any actual single axle rolling stock 20ft in length . Or was it something they just come up with to run around your Christmas Tree on a 4ft radius circle .

[jettrainfan]

Bobber cabooses were real.

[poliss]

Even bobber cabooses had two axles.

[Jim Banner]

I believe bobber cabooses had two axles.  A string of one axle cars would be like an automobile pulling a string of utility trailers, each one hitched to the one in front.  There were freight cars built with trucks on only one end.  But single axles?  I don't know.

Jim

[mhampton]

Was there ever any actual single axle rolling stock 20ft in length . Or was it something they just come up with to run around your Christmas Tree on a 4ft radius circle .

I know what you're really asking, but technically the answer to your question is "no" or at least "probably not."  As jettrainfan opined, bobber cabooses were real, but they had two axles, a single at each end of the car.  You can probably find a lot of mining equipment and other very old rolling stock designed that way, too.  The Europeans held on to that design longer than North American railroads did.

[poliss]

Indeed. 4 wheel wagons are still in use on British railways today.

[RAM]

The Rock Island  had a few 4 wheel flat cars built.  They did not stay in service long.  The Santa Fe had some 4 wheel cars for hauling truck trailers.  There may have been some old time 4 wheels cars that were only 20 feet long.

[J3a-614]

Well, it's said their is a prototype for everything, and that includes railcars with only one axle:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talgo

What's interesting is that the early types of this equipment were built in America, by American Car & Foundry:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/smb_flickr/392254853/

http://www.tycoforums.com/tyco/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1097

http://images.google.com/images?sa=4&imgc=&imgsz=&q=talgo+source:life&biw=987&bih=628

Early prototype:

http://misteridea.blogspot.com/2010/03/alejandro-de-goicoechea-talgo.html

Those of you in the Pacific Northwest region are undoubtedly familiar with the modern version of this equipment operated by Amtrak:

http://www.talgoamerica.com/

http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.ph

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOJGOqWye6I&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjggsIVh5v8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1ZY6VLW7v0&feature=fvsr

Have fun.

[Jim Banner]

I found the photos and particularly the videos of the Talgos very interesting.  But did any of them have single AXLES or did they all have just pairs of independently mounted wheels?

Jim

[mf5117]

Yes I think that is what I ment to ask , was there single axle , one at each end of the rail car . thanks for the reply's . interesting growing in large scale I had forgot I had 6 pieces of 20ft rolling stock . My father had me come get his LGB set out of the attic and he was proud of his set . It came with a 20ft tankcar, boxcar and caboose .With single axle's ,so I have more short equipment . And also was curious about the history . thanks

regards mf5117

[glennk28]

I do recall a video on trains in WWII a segment on military vehicles converted to run on rails--an American unit had put flanged wheels on a Jeep, and several of the GI 2-wheel (single axle) trailers all linked together--hauling ammo across France.  gj